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The release of a new DOWN album has always been regarded as more of an event in the world of metal, as opposed to just another new release, and the band’s latest, Over the Under, is no exception. Deep in the grief of five years of personal tragedy and frustration, the NOLA crew somehow managed to triumph over these obstacles, bringing forth the band’s most complete, mature offering to date. Although Over the Under isn’t as immediate as the band’s debut, the album packs plenty of punch with “Three Suns and One Star,” “Pillamyd,” and “N.O.D.” leading the charge, in the metal department. “Never Try,” “Beneath the Tides,” and “In the Thrall of it All” on the other hand counter with some of the band’s most bluesy material yet, with Phil Anselmo effectively delivering some of the most soulful singing of his career. The guitar tandem of Pepper Keenan and the criminally underrated Kirk Weinstein have come into their own, balancing Southern rock and blues with layers of thick Louisiana sludge with the second nature of veterans who have done it all. The rhythm section of Rex Brown and Jimmy Bower is another hidden weapon as the duo grooves like no tomorrow, anchoring the band under the surface with minimal flash but with ample feeling. It’s this collective chemistry that separates DOWN and Over the Under from the rest of the thrown together assembly-line, cookie-cutter drivel that labels and bands seem to content to disperse these days. Over the Under is a strong album from a reinvigorated band that flows powerfully from beginning to end, delivering this yearâ€™s most inspiring and deserving comeback. (Down Records/ILG/WMG)

DOWN, consisting of Philip Anselmo, Rex Brown, Pepper Keenan, Kirk Windstein and Jimmy Bower are set to release Down III – Over the Under on Sept. 25th through ILG/Warner Music Group. After releasing two records mainly as a side project, the band got together in the months before Hurricane Katrina to start working on new material. After the tragedy of the Hurricane in which the members were displaced and separated for many months, the band reconvened. It was obvious at the onset that this was no longer a side project. With everyone having honored their previous commitments with other bands, the New Orleans natives were focused on DOWN and DOWN alone, having found new life and a new bond through the common tragedies they all endured separately and collectively culminating in their most definitive record of their career.

In the summer of 2006, the band embarked on a six week European headline tour with no opening band, no product, and strictly by word of mouth, proceeded to sell out all 21 shows. Inspired by the response, the band reconnected in New Orleans to begin work on their most ambitious record to date. Having already tapped Warren Riker, who produced DOWN‘s 2nd release, Down II-A Bustle in Your Hedgerow, the band demoed some 18 songs in Nodferatu’s Lair, Philip Anselmo‘s studio in the swamps of Folsom, LA, with engineer David “Puma’ Troia. In February of 2007, the band commenced recording on their 3rd and most committed record to date. Recorded in Los Angeles between February and July, with a Canadian tour with BLACK SABBATH thrown in just for good measure, 15 songs were ultimately cut for Over the Under. The result is over 60 minutes of genre-defying music further solidifying their place at the forefront of heavy rock as only DOWN can do.

To chronicle the past five years leading up to the release of Down III – Over the Under, Philip Anselmo will be placing periodic installments to be released over the course of the next month on the band’s websites leading up to the release of the record. This is Philip‘s personal communication to the band’s loyal fan base and gives a 1st hand account the tragedy, isolation, rebirth and ultimate triumph of one of the most important band’s of our time. The 1st installment appears on August 17th on www.down-nola.com and www.myspace.com/downnola